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Partners With God, September 24
So then neither is he that planteth any thing, neither he that watereth;
but God that giveth the increase.
1 Corinthians 3:7
.
We need to understand that individually we are in copartnership with God.
“Work out your own salvation with fear and trembling,” He admonishes us,
and adds, “For it is God which worketh in you both to will and to do of his
good pleasure” (
Philippians 2:12, 13
). Here is the cooperation of the divine
with human agencies....
The former and the latter rains are needed. “We are labourers together
with God” (
1 Corinthians 3:9
). The Lord alone can give the precious for-
mer and latter rain. The clouds, the sunshine, the dews at night—these are
heaven’s most precious provisions. But all these favors graciously bestowed
of Heaven will prove of little worth to those who do not appropriate them by
diligent, painstaking effort on their part. Personal efforts must be put forth in
agriculture. There is the plowing and replowing. Implements must be brought
in and human skill must use them. The seed must be sown in its season. The
laws which control seedtime and harvest must be observed, else there will be
no harvest....
The apostle brings in another figure: “Ye are God’s building” (
Verse 9
)—
an edifice to be erected. The construction of a building calls for skill in using
the timber which God has caused to grow for the happiness and blessing of
man. The Lord has provided the forest trees, and now man must use the
trees. They must be cut down and prepared by saw, and axe, and wedge, and
hammer, to be fitted for the building....
Thus is presented the copartnership of the human and the divine. All the
power is of God. “Without me,” says Christ, “ye can do nothing” (
John 15:5
).
Then how many hours is it safe for us to try to work alone? All the glory
proceeds from God and should flow back in all possible ways to God, through
our cooperation with God....
We need to consider carefully our own spiritual interest. If we are abiding
in Christ, we shall not allow ambitious business transactions, even in our
service for Him, to come before the spiritual fragrance that should characterize
our association with our brethren.—
Manuscript 182, September 24, 1897
,
“Ye Are God’s Husbandry.”
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